Self-Assembly in Materials Synthesis
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Self-Assembly in
Materials Synthesis
Matthew V.Tirrell and Alexander Katz, Guest Editors Abstract The synthesis of materials via self-assembly typically involves the spontaneous and reversible organization of small building blocks for the purpose of creating conglomerate structures over larger length scales. This introductory article describes self-assembly processes on several length scales, from subnanometer up to millimeter scales, and briefly summarizes some of the incredible diversity of materials that exhibit selfassembly. Articles in this issue cover self-assembly using zeolitic structures, organic molecular crystals, block copolymers, surfactants, mesoscale templates, and soluble crystallization additives. Keywords: block copolymers, materials synthesis, self-assembly, surfactants, templates, zeolites.
Much of the scientific curiosity that is associated with self-assembly originates from the fact that we—as a human race— embody self-assembled structures over several decades of length scale, with many of these self-assemblies exhibiting intricate, dynamic structural behavior prevalent in biological systems, such as the protein hydrophobic interior. It is thus no surprise that a fundamental understanding of self-assembly promises in turn to explain many “self-assembled” mysteries, among them the origins of life. This is not to mention the technological and scientific applications of self-assembled materials, which provide control of structure and synthesis in a refined manner and at a high resolution that is inaccessible with most any other method.1 Given the breadth and depth of the elusive and penetrating concepts buried in a complete understanding of self-assembly, it has been impossible to cover everything—or, arguably, even most of the important areas—related to the synthesis of self-assembled materials in this single issue. Yet, as great editors, we have felt privileged to have the opportunity to do the best that we could in assembling this issue of MRS Bulletin dedicated to the theme of materials synthesized via selfassembly. Our particular choice of contributed topics and authors reflects a desire to highlight the synthesis of materials that can be designed by means of self-
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assembly in several different areas of application. Other methods of and issues in self-assembly have been reviewed in books and articles.1–4 We hope that this issue of MRS Bulletin provides a useful introduction to the field of design and synthesis of self-assembled materials, as well as a provoking interdisciplinary perspective that demonstrates similarities between what are conventionally considered to be disparate areas of research. This issue thus speaks to the interdisciplinary nature of materials synthesis via self-assembly, encompassing supramolecular chemistry, biochemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics, and
has direct impact on applied sciences such as chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering and materials science, among other disciplines. The synthesis of materials via selfassembly involves the sp
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